TOG ratings tell you how warm a swaddle is. But most packaging doesn't explain what the numbers mean for an Australian nursery. A 2.5 TOG swaddle on a 30°C Brisbane night is dangerous. A 0.2 TOG in a 12°C Melbourne winter is useless.
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TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. It's a measure of how much warmth a swaddle or sleep sack holds — the higher the number, the warmer it is. The scale runs from 0.2 (light and breathable) to 3.5 (heavy and insulated).
Why does this matter for safety? Red Nose Australia is clear: overheating increases the risk of SIDS. A swaddle that's too warm for the room temperature is a safety problem, not just a comfort issue. The right TOG keeps your baby warm enough to sleep well but cool enough to be safe.
Red Nose Australia's recommended nursery temperature range. Outside this range, adjust your baby's clothing and swaddle TOG — overheating is a known SIDS risk factor.
| Room Temperature | Recommended TOG | What Baby Wears Underneath |
|---|---|---|
| 24°C+ (Hot summer night) | 0.2 TOG | Nappy only or singlet |
| 22–24°C (Warm) | 0.2–0.5 TOG | Short-sleeve bodysuit |
| 20–22°C (Mild — ideal) | 1.0 TOG | Long-sleeve bodysuit |
| 18–20°C (Cool) | 1.0–2.5 TOG | Long-sleeve bodysuit + singlet |
| 16–18°C (Cold) | 2.5 TOG | Bondsuit + singlet |
| Below 16°C (Very cold winter) | 3.5 TOG | Bondsuit + long-sleeve bodysuit + singlet |
Get a room thermometer. They cost AU$15-25 from Kmart or Big W. Guessing the room temperature is the easiest way to get the TOG wrong. Place it near the cot, away from windows and heaters.
Australian weather makes dressing tricky. A summer night in Darwin is nothing like a winter night in Canberra.
Less is more. A 0.2 TOG swaddle with just a nappy is completely fine on hot nights. If the room is 25°C or above, skip the bodysuit — your baby doesn't need it. A single-layer muslin wrap is another good option because it breathes better than synthetic fabrics. Run a fan in the room (not pointed at the cot) to keep air moving.
This is the sweet spot most nurseries hit with air conditioning or heating. A 1.0 TOG swaddle over a long-sleeve cotton bodysuit works well. Bonds Wondersuits are perfect for this — they're thin, all-in-one, and widely available in Australia.
Layer up. A 2.5 TOG swaddle over a bondsuit with a singlet underneath. If the room drops below 14°C, go to a 3.5 TOG and add an extra long-sleeve bodysuit layer. Check the back of your baby's neck — if it feels cool to touch, add a layer. If it feels damp or sweaty, remove one.
Red Nose Australia says overheating is a known SIDS risk. The method they recommend:
The golden rule for Australian parents: dress your baby in one more layer than you'd wear to sleep comfortably. If you're in a t-shirt and feel fine, baby needs a t-shirt plus a light swaddle. If you need a doona, baby needs a warm TOG plus layers.
If your baby shows any of these signs, do not ignore them hoping they'll settle. Remove a layer, turn on a fan, or switch to a lighter TOG right away. Overheating is more dangerous than being slightly cool — Red Nose Australia's research consistently shows this.
Here's what each TOG rating means for an Australian nursery:
This is the lightest weight. Think of it as a thin sheet rather than a blanket. Use when the room is 22°C or above — which is most Australian summer nights. The ergoPouch Cocoon 0.2 TOG and Love to Dream Swaddle Up 0.2 TOG are popular options. Muslin wraps are also essentially 0.2 TOG and work well in heat because cotton breathes.
Good for mild weather and air-conditioned rooms set to 20-22°C. This is what many Australian parents use year-round with climate control. Pair with a long-sleeve bodysuit. If you're not sure which TOG to buy first, 1.0 is the safest starting point — you can adjust with layers underneath.
The most common winter weight in Australia. Use when the room is 16-20°C — typical for unheated bedrooms in southern states. Layer a bondsuit underneath. Most Australian parents who live in Victoria, Tasmania, or regional NSW will use 2.5 TOG through winter.
Only needed when the room drops below 16°C — old houses without heating, or alpine regions. Layer a bondsuit plus a singlet or extra bodysuit underneath. Few Australian nurseries need this regularly unless you're in the Snowy Mountains or Tasmania in midwinter without heating.
I've reviewed 6 of Australia's most popular swaddles — including which TOG options each brand offers.
Read the Full Review →Use this quick guide: 24°C+ = 0.2 TOG with nappy or singlet. 20-23°C = 1.0 TOG with short-sleeve bodysuit. 16-19°C = 2.5 TOG with long-sleeve bodysuit. Below 16°C = 3.5 TOG with bondsuit and singlet. Red Nose Australia recommends 18-22°C as ideal.
Feel the back of neck or chest — not hands or feet. If sweaty, clammy, or hot to touch, baby is too warm. Other signs: flushed cheeks, rapid breathing, damp hair, restlessness. Overheating increases SIDS risk. If in doubt, remove a layer.
No — 2.5 TOG is for 16-20°C rooms. Australian summers often exceed 24°C inside. Use a 0.2 TOG or single-layer muslin. Red Nose Australia advises dressing babies lightly in warm weather — overheating is a known SIDS factor.
It depends on the TOG and room temperature. Under 0.2 TOG: nappy or singlet. Under 1.0 TOG: short-sleeve bodysuit. Under 2.5 TOG: long-sleeve bodysuit. Under 3.5 TOG: bondsuit with singlet. Rule of thumb: one more layer than you'd wear to sleep.
Red Nose Australia recommends 18-22°C. In summer, use a fan (not aimed at baby), light clothing, and 0.2 TOG. In winter, keep the room at least 16°C. A room thermometer is a worthwhile AU$15-25 investment.
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